Address root causes of youth crime

OPINION:

Summer spikes in juvenile crime are nothing new, but the viciousness and brazenness of this summer’s spikes stand out. Residents  demand increased prosecution of these young criminals in the hopes that it will deter further such crime. Unfortunately, the root causes of this crime wave are not being acknowledged, which makes the cures on offer akin to using a Band-Aid for a gun wound. 

We must recognize that there’s a larger problem at play than illegal actions. Whenever preteens start committing crimes then there is something severely wrong. We can’t arrest our way out of these circumstances. Based on the perception of racial bias, lawmakers are hesitant to perform their judicial and legislative duties. So their best efforts will not stop this trend, which is spreading beyond urban areas.

Consider what makes a 12- or 13-year-old feel hopeless enough to participate in crime. In my opinion, it’s the result of decades of failed social policies. These youths are never taught respect for themselves or others, not to mention the principles of right and wrong. It’s likely that in many cases that these kids’ mothers wanted the financial assistance that came with having children more than they wanted the children themselves.

As a volunteer youth counselor who works with juvenile criminals, I hear all the time about these household circumstances: low-income welfare dependence and no positive male influence. I remember one particular conversation with a repeat juvenile offender. I asked him when and why his criminal mindset emerged, and he said it all started at age 12 when, during an argument with his mother about his increasingly poor behavior, she admitted that he had been a “welfare baby.” She told him that since she was no longer receiving welfare and cash benefits for him, it was time for him to go into the streets and make some money. 

This is a phenomenon that has been well documented and even portrayed in TV and movies. However, we continue to ignore it out of sensitivity to those affected. But if we can’t provide guidance and support to parents and guardians when it comes to dealing with the behavioral issues of our youth, we’ll be right  back here next summer making the same demands. 

GREG RALEIGH

Washington